Duramax: Why Does My Truck Say Service Trailer Brake System?
While modern technology is designed to help drivers, it can drive them over the edge. That usually happens when a check or service light appears on your dash but no matter what fix you do, it remains turned on. That can be frustrating and annoying
Believe it or not, there are many sources for this issue. Some sources can be as simple as a blown fuse, while others could be the controller or the wiring. In some cases, the connectors could have corroded or there are loose pins. It is a bit of a trial and error process to solve this problem.
To learn more about this issue, just continue to read our article. It has the information that should help you come to the right solution. Take a few minutes to see how this important data can solve your problem and get you back on the road again.
Trailer Brake System 101
Duramax Service Trailer Brake System
This system is designed to detect problems with different components associated with your trailer brakes. These components can be the brake controller, trailer wiring, or the power input to the controller.
Once detected, the system then is supposed to generate codes to help pinpoint the exact location of the problem and the problem itself. This does not always work out as some owners have reported that no codes have been generated by the system.
The only way to get to those codes is to use a compatible scan tool. These can be expensive whether you buy one yourself or go to the dealer and have them use theirs. Some scans at the dealer can cost between $130 to $150 per scan.
If by chance the scans do not find any codes, then you are left with the old hunt and peck system. You have to hunt down those parts that may possibly be the problem and check each one out.
The culprit can be as simple as a bad fuse or corroded connections. Or they can be as bad as having to replace the controller or other wiring harness and so on. Then you have to watch the wiring when you replace parts. Sometimes, the technician does not do a good job and the wires get wet.
When that happens, you will get the service trailer brake light.
What Does The Trailer Brake System Mean?
This term means that you have a braking system for your trailer that is operated whenever you press the brake on your tow vehicle. It is designed to accept electronic signals when you press on your truck’s brakes and activate the electronic braking system helping your trailer slow down.
However, when you get the trailer brake system alert, you are being told that there is a problem with the controller or at some point in the system. There are supposed to be codes generated by the computer governing the system which is supposed to be easily read by a scanner.
We say supposed to because some dealerships have warned that codes may not be generated at all. When that happens, the dealer does not know where to start when fixing your vehicle.
It is possible that it is a faulty message and it will disappear the next time you turn your truck on but that may not always happen either. If the light stays on after several cycles then you need to go to a dealer and have them hook up their scanner.
The alert lets you know you have a problem somewhere in the brake controller system
Why Does My Truck Say Service Trailer Brake System?
If it is not a faulty signal, then it is telling you that you have a problem with your trailer braking controller or system. The problem could be the brake controller itself and it could not be.
In our research for this article, we found numerous parts that could trigger this alert. The faulty brake controller is just one possibility out of many. Some owners had to replace wiring, redo the wiring, add a new 7 pin connection, cleanup corroded connections, and even replace the fuse.
If the system generates codes, then your search should be simpler than hunting and pecking to see what is wrong. That is if the system is providing you with the correct codes. It seems to be a guessing game with this system.
Dealers have mentioned that the system may not generate any codes even though there is an actual problem within the system. Or it may generate too many as one dealer had to replace EBCM/BPMV assembly, TBCM, and the Brake Pressure Sensor before they were able to clear all the codes.
This search took 4 days to complete. If the dealer has this type of problem imagine if you tried to do it yourself.
2015 Silverado 2500 Trailer Brake Control Module Location
Like many RV makers, car and truck manufacturers find some interesting places to hide different parts. This model of truck is no exception to this game of hide and seek and its trailer brake control module is located in a unique spot.
You should find it under the truck right above the spare tire. You will probably have to remove the spare tire to get to it. That action requires you to be careful as spare tires are not known to be nice and light.
Then, you may be lucky enough to have two modules depending on what type of options you got with your truck. Those will be stacked on top of each other for various reasons.
Some people have reported that the module is on the rear axle on the driver’s side and attached to the frame. Right next to it will be the relay so do not get the two confused. One expert said to replace the relay first as it is cheaper and does not need programming by a dealer or mechanic.
But when that light goes on, you may not get the exact locations of the problem as even the truck’s ABS system may be the cause for the alert to turn on.
How do You Reset a Trailer Brake Controller?
This is not going to be difficult to do and the system is like a lot of different electronic components you find in your RV or trailer. The safest way to do this task is to make sure your trailer is not hooked up to power or your tow vehicle.
If there is a setting on the system, make sure it is set to neutral. After that is done, simply disconnect the controller from any power supply and leave it unplugged for several minutes.
When that time limit is up, just re-connect the controller to the power supply and it should be re-set. We cannot say that this method will work for all brake controllers so you have to check your manual to see if there are any special instructions to guide you.
If not, then you should go to a trusted mechanic and ask them for the correct procedure. There are brands of brake controllers that have different methods for each model they make. So you need to make sure you got the right instructions for your system.
If you need to make adjustments for brake tension, look under your trailer for the star wheel system. All you would need to make those adjustments will be a socket wrench and the right size socket.
Is There a Fuse For The Trailer Brake System?
Yes and no. The controller itself may not have a fuse inside of it. This goes for some of the Tekonsha Voyager Brake Controller with GM Wiring Harness. But since the controller is hooked up to your truck’s electrical system through the standard port, there is a fuse helping the controller receive its electronic signal.
This fuse is supposed to be located in the power distribution box under the hood. However, there may be more than one fuse connected to the system and you may need to check the park lamp fuse labeled INT PRK 10amp in the instrument fuse panel box.
With the fuse under the hood, you should check Stud #1 & 2 to make sure they have not blown. Make sure to test them with a meter as just looking at them may not spot the problem.
Some Final Words
The problem with modern technology is that there are so many components that can go wrong. Even with the braking systems, you have over a dozen other parts that could trigger the service trailer brake system alert.
Some of these repairs are cheap and easy while others are not. It is also possible that the scanner may not detect that many codes if any, or it will detect too many codes, and your truck will be in the shop for a few days.
This is a tricky system to diagnose and fix. Also, it can be an expensive one.
